KR20170008742A - Architectures and methods related to improved isolation for diplexer paths - Google Patents

Abstract

Architectures and methods for improved separation for diplexer paths. In some embodiments, an architecture for routing radio-frequency (RF) signals may include an input node and an output node, and a distributed network of signal paths implemented between the input node and the output node. The distributed network of signal paths may include a first path having N switches including the selected switch, where the quantity N is an integer greater than two. The first path may route the first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled. The distributed network of signal paths may further include a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node, and the second path includes a selected switch. The second path may include a plurality of open switches when disabled and the first path is enabled.

Description

[0001] ARCHITECTURES AND METHODS RELATED TO IMPROVED ISOLATION FOR DIPLEXER PATHS [0002]

Cross-reference to related application (s)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 978,879, filed April 12, 2014, entitled ARCHITECTURES AND METHODS RELATED TO IMPROVED ISOLATION FOR DIPLEXER PATHS, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. do.

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to diplexer paths having improved separation.

Semiconductor switches are commonly used for radio-frequency (RF) applications. These switches can be combined with conductive paths to form RF circuits. The switch may be turned on (closed) or turned off (open) by application of the appropriate switching signal (s).

According to some of the teachings, this disclosure is directed to an architecture for routing radio-frequency (RF) signals. The architecture includes an input node and an output node, and a distributed network of signal paths implemented between the input node and the output node. The distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including the selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than two. The first path may route the first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled. The distributed network of signal paths further includes a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node. The second path includes the selected switch. The second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and the first path is enabled.

In some embodiments, the input node may include a node coupled to the antenna port. The output node may include a node coupled to an input of a low noise amplifier (LNA).

In some embodiments, the distributed network of signal paths may include a plurality of multiplexers, and each multiplexer includes a plurality of ports multiplexed onto a common port. Each multiplexer may be a diplexer. The distributed network of signal paths may include a plurality of diplexer selection paths between respective common ports of the input node and diplexers, and each diplexer selection path includes a diplexer selection switch .

In some embodiments, the distributed network of signal paths may further include a first port selection path and a second port selection path for each diplexer. Each of the first port selection path and the second port selection path may include a port selection switch. The distributed network of signal paths may further include an enable selection path coupling the plurality of port selection paths to the output node. Each of the enable selection paths may include an enable switch.

In some embodiments, the selected switch may be one of the diplexer selection switches. In some embodiments, the first port selection path and the second port selection path for a given diplexer may be coupled to two different enable selection paths. In some embodiments, each path in the distributed network of signal paths may include a corresponding enable selection path, a corresponding port selection port, and a corresponding diplexer selection path, and the quantity N is three. The second path may include two open switches when disabled, and the first path is enabled. The two open switches may be a port select switch and an enable switch corresponding to the second path.

In some embodiments, at least some of the distributed networks of signal paths may be configured to operate in carrier aggregation (CA) mode. In some embodiments, the distributed network of signal paths may be configured to operate in a non-carrier aggregation mode.

In some embodiments, the disabled second path with a plurality of open switches may provide improved isolation performance for the second path than a disabled signal path with one open switch.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components, and a radio-frequency (RF) module including an input node and an output node implemented on or in a packaging substrate . The RF module further includes a plurality of signal conditioning circuits implemented on or in the packaging substrate. The RF module further includes a distributed network of signal paths configured to route RF signals between a plurality of signal conditioning circuits and between the input node and the output node and from the plurality of signal conditioning circuits. The distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including the selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than two. The first path may route the first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled. The distributed network of signal paths further includes a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node. The second path includes the selected switch. The second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and the first path is enabled.

In some embodiments, the plurality of signal conditioning circuits may include a plurality of diplexers. In some embodiments, the RF module may further include a low noise amplifier (LNA) implemented on a packaging substrate. The LNA may be coupled to the output node to receive the first RF signal over the first path when the first path is enabled.

In some embodiments, the RF module may be a front-end module. In some embodiments, the RF module may be a diversity receive (DRx) module. In some embodiments, the LNA can be implemented on a first semiconductor die. In some embodiments, some or all of the switches associated with the distributed network of signal paths may be implemented on the second semiconductor die.

In many implementations, this disclosure relates to a method for fabricating a radio-frequency (RF) module. The method includes providing or forming a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components. The method further includes implementing a plurality of signal conditioning circuits on a packaging substrate between the input node and the output node or within the packaging substrate. The method further includes forming a distributed network of signal paths for routing RF signals between a plurality of signal conditioning circuits and a plurality of signal conditioning circuits between an input node and an output node. The distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including the selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than two. The first path may route the first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled. The distributed network of signal paths further includes a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node. The second path includes the selected switch. The second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and the first path is enabled.

According to many embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a radio-frequency (RF) device including a receiver configured to process RF signals and a front-end module (FEM) in communication with the receiver. The FEM includes a plurality of signal conditioning circuits and a distributed network of signal paths configured to route RF signals to and from a plurality of signal conditioning circuits between an input node and an output node. The distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including the selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than two. The first path may route the first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled. The distributed network of signal paths further includes a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node. The second path includes the selected switch. The second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and the first path is enabled. The RF device further includes an antenna in communication with the input node, wherein the antenna is configured to receive RF signals.

In some embodiments, the RF device may comprise a wireless device. The wireless device may be, for example, a cellular phone. In some embodiments, the antenna may comprise a diversity antenna, and the RF module may comprise a diversity reception (DRx) module. The wireless device may further include an antenna switch module (ASM) configured to route RF signals from the diversity antenna to the receiver. The DRx module may be implemented between the diversity antenna and the ASM.

For the purpose of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention are set forth herein. It should be understood that not all of these advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes a group of advantages or advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages, as taught or suggested herein.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an assembly of radio-frequency (RF) signal paths with improved separation performance.
Figure 2 shows a more specific example of an assembly of RF signal paths of Figure 1;
3A and 3B show different paths that may be implemented in an exemplary configuration of band-selected paths involving a plurality of diplexers.
Figure 4 shows spectral responses for the four exemplary enabled paths of Figures 3a and 3b.
5 illustrates an example of a distributed network of RF signal paths that may provide improved isolation for at least some of the disabled paths.
Figure 6 illustrates another example of a distributed network of RF signal paths that may provide improved isolation for at least some of the disabled paths.
Figures 7A-7D illustrate four signal paths that may be enabled for the exemplary configuration of Figure 5.
8 illustrates, in some embodiments, a distributed network of signal paths having one or more characteristics as described herein, including shunt paths for facilitating separation associated with some or all of the signal paths Lt; / RTI >
Figure 9 shows examples of transmit power spectra for four different enabled paths of the examples of Figures 5 and 6;
Figure 10 shows, in some embodiments, that a distributed network of signal paths may be implemented using more than two diplexers.
FIG. 11 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a distributed network of signal paths between two common nodes does not necessarily have all of the configured paths with enhanced separation as described herein.
Figure 12 illustrates a process that may be implemented to fabricate a device, such as a module having one or more features as described herein.
Figure 13 illustrates that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in an RF module.
14 illustrates an exemplary wireless device having one or more features as described herein.
Figure 15 illustrates that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a diversity receiving module.
Figure 16 illustrates an exemplary wireless device with the diversity receiving module of Figure 15;

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

Semiconductor switches are frequently used in integrated circuits, including those that are configured to process radio-frequency (RF) signals. These switches may be combined with conductive paths to form and / or facilitate various RF circuits. The switches can be turned on (closed) or turned off (open) by the application of the appropriate switching signal (s), and these switches are arranged to allow passage of RF signals (on) One or more semiconductor devices (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs) and associated devices). Thus, a switch that is in the off state provides more isolation between its two terminals than when it is on.

Examples of how switchable paths can be arranged to allow routing of various RF signals in a selected manner while providing improved isolation for paths that are turned off are disclosed herein. For purposes of the present description, a switch may comprise a semiconductor switching device based on, for example, one or more FETs, a MOSFET, an SOI-MOSFET, and the like. It will be appreciated that one or more features of the present disclosure may also be implemented using other types of switching devices.

1 shows a block diagram of an assembly of radio-frequency (RF) signal paths 100 with improved separation performance. The assembly of such signal paths may include receiving an RF signal through a common input 102 (IN), processing the RF signal along one or more of the plurality of paths, and processing the RF signal through a common output 104 (OUT) Signal. ≪ / RTI >

FIG. 2 illustrates a more specific example of the assembly of RF signal paths 100 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the band selection architecture 110 may be implemented for a receiver circuit including a low noise amplifier (LNA) Such an LNA may receive band-selected and processed RF signals through the assemblies of band-selective paths 100. The assembly of these band-selected paths may be configured to receive the input signal RF_IN via the input node 102. These input signals may be received, for example, via a common antenna (not shown) and may include one or more cellular band specific frequency components. As described herein, the assembly of band-selective paths 100 includes filters (e.g., band-pass filters) that deliver filtered RF signals having the selected band content (s) to the output node 104 Lt; / RTI > This output node may be coupled to the input of LNA 120 to allow amplification of the selected-band RF signal. This amplified RF signal RF_OUT is shown to be provided to the LNA output node 112.

3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary configuration of band-selected paths 10 involving a plurality of diplexers. In an exemplary configuration 10, the RF signal is received via an antenna port ANT and is coupled to a first diplexer (using switch S1) through a first switched path and to a second diplexer (Via switch S2) to the second diplexer. For purposes of the description of FIGS. 3A and 3B, switches S1 and S2 may be referred to as diplexer selection switches.

Each diplexer is shown to include two output paths, so that the two diplexers collectively have four output ports coupled to their respective paths. Path 1 and Path 2 correspond to the two output ports of the first diplexer and Path 3 and Path 4 correspond to the two output ports of the second diplexer.

Path 1 is shown as being switchable by switch S3; Path 2 is shown as being switchable by switch S4; Path 3 is shown as being switchable by switch S5; Path 4 is shown as switchable by switch S6. For purposes of the description of FIGS. 3A and 3B, switches S3-S6 may be referred to as diplexer output path select switches or diplexer port select switches.

The two paths (Path 1 and Path 2) corresponding to the first diplexer are shown to be coupled, and the combined path is shown as being switchable by an enable switch S7. Similarly, two paths (path 3 and path 4) corresponding to the second diplexer are shown to be coupled, and the combined path is shown as being switchable by an enable switch S8. The two coupled paths corresponding to switches S7 and S8 are shown to be further coupled to yield a common output leading to the input of an LNA (not shown).

An exemplary distributed network of switchable paths 10 in Figs. 3a and 3b includes two paths (path 1, path 2) associated with the first diplexer that are connected to the first enable switch S7 To be enabled together. In this enabled state, either path 1 or path 2 can be enabled by closing one switch S3 or S4 and opening another switch S4 or S3. Similarly, the two paths associated with the second diplexer (path 3, path 4) may be enabled together by closing the second enable switch S8; And in this enabled state, either path 3 and path 4 can be enabled by closing one switch (S5 or S6) and opening another switch (S6 or S5).

The previous example of selecting the output path for a given diplexer assumes that the network of switchable paths is operating in non-carrier aggregation (non-CA) mode. In some embodiments, a given diplexer and its corresponding output paths may be configured to operate in CA mode. For example, the first diplexer may be operated in the CA mode by closing the first enable switch S7 and by closing both the switches S3 and S4 corresponding to path 1 and path 2. In this mode, both the second enable switch S8 and the switches S5 and S6 can be opened. Similarly, the second diplexer can be operated in the CA mode by closing the second enable switch S8 and closing both the switches S5 and S6 corresponding to path 3 and path 4. In this mode, both the first enable switch S7 and the switches S3 and S4 can be opened.

Switching arrangements as listed in Table 1 may be implemented in the context of a non-CA operation mode, or in situations where a selection of a given output path from a diplexer is desired (whether the configuration is CA capable or not) .

In the example of FIG. 3A, path 2 corresponding to the first diplexer is enabled by the switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 1, thereby yielding the signal path 12. In the example of FIG. 3B, the path 3 corresponding to the second diplexer is enabled by a switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 1, thereby yielding the signal path 12.

In the example of Figure 3A, enabled path 2 results in the switches S1, S4, and S7 being closed and all other switches being open. Thus, the separation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes one open switch S3 passing through disabled path 1, three open switches S2, S5 and S8 passing through disabled path 3, And three open switches S2, S6, and S8 that pass through the disabled path 4.

Similarly, in the example of FIG. 3B, enabled path 3 results in the switches S2, S5, and S8 being closed and all other switches being open. Thus, the separation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes three open switches S1, S3, and S7 passing through disabled path 1, three open switches S1, S4, S7), and one open switch (S6) passing through the disabled path (4).

Based on the previous examples, it can be seen that each time a given path is enabled, at least one disabled path between the input node ANT and the output node LNA has only one open switch. For example, enabling path 2 in FIG. 3A results in the path containing path 1 opening only one switch S3 for isolation of the band corresponding to path 1 between the ANT node and the LNA node . In another example, the enabling of path 3 in FIG. 3B results in the path including path 4 opening only one switch S6 for separation of the band corresponding to path 4 between the ANT node and the LNA node .

In Figures 3a and 3b, examples of bands that can be serviced by diplexers are shown. The first diplexer may be configured to provide, for example, the diplexing functionality of the cellular bands B30 and B41b / 38, and the second diplexer may be configured to provide, for example, the dies of the cellular bands B40 and B41a And may be configured to provide flexing functionality. In the context of these exemplary bands, FIG. 4 shows the spectral responses for four different enabled paths as described in connection with Table 1. The upper left panel shows the power spectrum for bands B30, B41 b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B30 (path 1) is enabled and the path for B41b / 38 (path 2) Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > S4. ≪ / RTI > The upper right panel shows the power spectrum for the bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B41b (Path 2) is enabled, and the path for B30 (Path 1) And an open switch S3. The lower left panel shows the power spectrum for bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B40 (path 3) is enabled, and the path for B41a (path 4) And an open switch S6. The lower right panel shows the power spectrum for the bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B41 (path 4) is enabled and the path for B40 (path 3) And an open switch S5.

As shown in the upper left panel (B30 enabled, B41b / 38 has only one open switch, B40 and B41a each have three open switches), gain (about -20dB) for B41b / Is much greater than the gain for B40 and B41a. As shown in the lower left panel (B40 enabled, B41a has only one open switch, B30 and B41b / 38 each have three open switches), the gain for B41b / 38 is about -34dB , Which is a significant decrease from -20 dB of the upper left panel. The improvement in the separation of B41b / 38 in the lower left panel is due, at least in part, to the three open switches compared to only one open switch in the upper left panel.

Similarly, in the upper right panel (B41b / 38 enabled, B30 has only one open switch, B40 and B41 each have three open switches), the gain for B30 (about -28dB) Which is much larger than the gain for B41a. As shown in the bottom left panel (B40 enabled, B41a having only one open switch, B30 and B41b / 38 each having three open switches), the gain for B30 is reduced to about -38dB , Which is a significant reduction from the -28 dB example of the upper right panel. The improvement in the separation of B30 in the bottom left panel is due, at least in part, to three open switches compared to only one open switch in the top right panel.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples of distributed networks of RF signal paths 100 that may provide improved isolation for one or more disabled paths than the examples of Figures 3a and 3b. In Figures 5 and 6, the same switches S1-S8 as in Figures 3a and 3b can be used to provide various switchable signal paths through two exemplary diplexers 130,132. However, the examples of Figures 5 and 6 show that any disabling path between the antenna node ANT and the LNA node LNA (at least one open switch in the specific paths in Figures 3A and 3B) And may have such signal paths that are configured to include two open switches. This increase in the number of open switches, as described herein, provides improvements in isolation for the corresponding disabled paths. As also described herein, these improvements in isolation for disabled paths can be achieved using the same total number of switches.

In the exemplary configurations 100 of Figures 5 and 6, the RF signal is received via the antenna port ANT (using switch S1) and transmitted to the first diplexer 130 via the first switched path, And to a second diplexer 132 via a second switched path (using switch S2). For purposes of the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, the switches S1 and S2 may be referred to as diplexer selection switches.

Each diplexer is shown to include two output ports, so that the two diplexers collectively have four output ports coupled to their respective paths through their respective switches. In the example of FIG. 5, path 1 and path 4 are coupled to the two output ports of the first diplexer 130 via switches S3 and S6, respectively, and path 3 and path 2 are coupled to respective switches < RTI ID = (S5 and S4) to the two output ports of the second diplexer 132. In the example of FIG. 6, path 3 and path 2 are coupled to the two output ports of the first diplexer 130 via switches S5 and S4, respectively, (S3 and S6) to the two output ports of the second diplexer 132.

In both of the examples of Figures 5 and 6, path 1 is shown as being switchable by switch S3; Path 2 is shown as being switchable by switch S4; Path 3 is shown as being switchable by switch S5; Path 4 is shown as switchable by switch S6. For purposes of the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, switches S3-S6 may be referred to as diplexer output path select switches, or diplexer port select switches.

In the example of FIG. 5, path 1 corresponding to first diplexer 130 and path 2 corresponding to second diplexer 132 are shown to be coupled, and the combined path is shown as enable switch S7. Lt; / RTI > Similarly, the path 3 corresponding to the second diplexer 132 and the path 4 corresponding to the first diplexer 130 are shown to be coupled and the combined path is switched by the enable switch S8 Lt; / RTI > The two coupled paths corresponding to switches S7 and S8 are shown to be further coupled to yield a common output that follows the input of the LNA (not shown).

In the example of FIG. 6, path 1 corresponding to the second diplexer 132 and path 2 corresponding to the first diplexer 130 are shown to be coupled, and the combined path is shown as enable switch S7. Lt; / RTI > Similarly, the path 3 corresponding to the first diplexer 130 and the path 4 corresponding to the second diplexer 132 are shown to be coupled, and the combined path is switched by the enable switch S8 Lt; / RTI > The two coupled paths corresponding to switches S7 and S8 are shown to be further coupled to yield a common output that follows the input of the LNA (not shown).

Exemplary distributed networks of switchable paths of FIGS. 5 and 6 are configured such that two paths (path 1, path 2) associated with two different diplexers are coupled together by the closure of the first enable switch S7 Able to be enabled. In this enabled state, either path 1 or path 2 can be enabled by closing one switch (S3 or S4) and opening another switch (S4 or S3). Similarly, two paths (path 3, path 4) associated with two different diplexers may be enabled together by the closure of the second enable switch S8; In this enabled state, either path 3 or path 4 can be enabled by closing one switch (S5 or S6) and opening another switch (S6 or S5).

The previous examples of selecting an output path for a given diplexer assume that the network of switchable paths is operating in a non-carrier aggregated (non-CA) mode. In some embodiments, a given diplexer and its corresponding output paths may be configured to operate in CA mode. For example, in Figure 5, the first diplexer 130 closes both the first and second enable switches S7 and S8 and switches S3 and S6 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > CA < / RTI > mode. In this mode, both the first and second diplexer selection switches S1 and S2 can be closed. 6, the first diplexer 130 closes both the first and second enable switches S7 and S8 and switches 3 and 5 corresponding to path 3 and path 2, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > S4). ≪ / RTI > In this mode, both the first and second diplexer selection switches S1 and S2 can be closed.

In situations where the selection of a given output path from the diplexer is desired (in the case of non-CA operation mode, or whether the configuration is CA capable or not), the switching arrangements as listed in Table 2 are shown in the example of FIG. 5 And the switching arrangements listed in Table 3 may be implemented for the example of FIG.

Figures 7A-7D illustrate four signal paths that may be enabled for the exemplary configuration of Figure 5. In the example of FIG. 7A, path 1 corresponding to first diplexer 130 is enabled by a switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 2, thereby yielding signal path 140. In the example of FIG. 7B, path 2 corresponding to second diplexer 132 is enabled by a switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 2, thereby yielding signal path 142. In the example of FIG. 7C, path 3, corresponding to second diplexer 132, is enabled by a switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 2, thereby yielding signal path 144. In the example of FIG. 7d, path 4, corresponding to first diplexer 130, is enabled by a switching arrangement as shown and listed in Table 2, thereby yielding signal path 146.

In the example of Figure 7a, enabled path 1 results in the switches S1, S3, and S7 being closed and all other switches being open. Thus, the separation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes two open switches S2, S4 passing through disabled path 2, three open switches S2, S5, S8 passing through disabled path 3, , And two open switches (S6, S8) passing through the disabled path (4).

Similarly, in the example of FIG. 7B, enabled path 2 results in switches S2, S4 and S7 being closed, and all other switches being open. Thus, the separation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes two open switches S 1 and S 3 passing through disabled path 1, two open switches S 5 and S 8 passing through disabled path 3, and And three open switches (S1, S6, S8) passing through the disabled path 4. [

Similarly, in the example of FIG. 7C, enabled path 3 results in the switches S2, S5 and S8 being closed, and all other switches being open. Thus, the isolation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes three open switches S1, S3 and S7 passing through disabled path 1, two open switches S4 and S7 passing through disabled path 2, And two open switches S1 and S6 passing through the disabled path 4.

Similarly, in the example of Fig. 7d, enabled path 4 results in the switches S1, S6 and S8 being closed, and all other switches being open. Thus, the separation between the ANT node and the LNA node includes two open switches S3 and S7 passing through disabled path 1, three open switches S2, S4 and S7 passing through disabled path 2, And two open switches S2, S5 passing through the disabled path 3.

7A-7D, each time a given path is enabled, each of the disabled paths includes at least two open switches between the input node ANT and the output node LNA Able to know. A similar enable of the corresponding disabled paths with four paths and at least two open switches may be implemented for the exemplary configuration of FIG.

Figure 8 illustrates, in some embodiments, a distributed network of signal paths 100 having one or more characteristics as described herein, including shunt paths for facilitating separation associated with some or all of the signal paths Lt; / RTI > The example shown in Fig. 8 is similar to the exemplary configuration of Fig. 8, shunt paths 148a, 148b, 148c and 148d, which can be switched to ground, are provided along the diplexer paths in front of their respective switches S3, S4, S5 and S6 Respectively.

In some embodiments, each of the shunt paths 148a, 148b, 148c, 148d may include a shunt switch, which is closed when the switch along the corresponding diplexer output path is opened or closed Can be opened. For example, when path 1 is disabled, switch S3 is open (with switch S1); In this state, the shunt switch for shunt path 148a may be closed to allow any residual signal and / or noise to be shunted to ground. When path 1 is enabled, switch S3 is closed open (with switch S1); In this state, the shunt switch for shunt path 148a can be opened. Shunt switches for shunt paths 148b, 148c, 148d may be operated in a similar manner.

In Figures 5-8, examples of bands that can be serviced by diplexers are shown. The first diplexer 130 may be configured to provide the diplexing functionality of, for example, cellular bands B30 and B41b / 38, and the second diplexer 132 may be configured to provide, for example, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > B40 and B41a. ≪ / RTI > In the context of these exemplary bands, FIG. 9 shows the transmit power spectrum for four different enabled paths as described in connection with Tables 2 and 3. FIG.

The upper left panel of Fig. 9 shows the power spectrum for bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B30 (path 1 in Fig. 5, path 3 in Fig. 6) And the path to B41b / 38 has two open switches S6 and S8 in Fig. 5 and two open switches S4 and S7 in Fig. The upper right panel shows the power spectrum for the bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B41b / 38 (path 4 in Fig. 5, path 2 in Fig. 6) And the path to B30 has two open switches S3 and S7 in Fig. 5 and two open switches S5 and S8 in Fig. Similarly, the lower left panel shows the power spectrum for the bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B40 is enabled. Similarly, the lower right panel shows the power spectrum for the bands B30, B41b / 38, B40 and B41 when the path corresponding to B41a is enabled.

In Figures 3 and 4 and more particularly in the examples described with respect to the upper left panel of Figure 4, B30 is enabled because the disabled path for B41b / 38 has only one open switch and is about -20dB Resulting in a relatively poor separation in the < RTI ID = 0.0 > In FIG. 9, where B30 is enabled and the disabled path for B41b / 38 includes two open switches, the separation for B41b / 38 is shown to be at a significantly improved level of about -31dB . Compared to the 1-open-switch of FIG. 4, the separation provided by the example of 2-open-switches of FIG. 9 is improved by about 9 dB.

In the examples of FIGS. 5-8, the improved separation can be achieved by forming the output paths of a given diplexer for two separate enable switches. If only two diplexers are present, then this arrangement essentially results in swapping one output path of the first diplexer with one path of the second diplexer. If more than two diplexers are present, such swapping may be implemented between the pair (s) of diplexers, between different diplexers, or some combination thereof.

For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a distributed network of signal paths 100 including three signal conditioning circuits 150, 152, 154, such as diplexers. The switches S1, S2, S3 are shown coupling the circuits 150, 152, 154 to the common node 102. In the context of diplexers, the switches S1, S2, S3 may be diplexer-select switches. The switches S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 are shown as providing switchable paths coupled to the other sides of the circuits 150, 152, 154. In the context of the diplexers, the switches S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 may provide switchable output paths for the three diplexers. The switches S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 are shown coupled to the various pairs to provide three combined paths. The three combined paths are shown as providing switchable paths to the common node 104 through the switches S10, S11, S12. In the context of diplexers, the switches S10, S11, S12 may be enable switches.

As in the various examples of FIGS. 5-8, the disabled signal paths between node 102 and node 104 of FIG. 10 may benefit from having at least two open switches. 10, however, the exemplary arrangement 100 is such that the distribution of paths from a pair of diplexers (e.g., circuits 150 and 152) is controlled by two corresponding enable switches For example, S10, S11). For example, the output paths from the first diplexer are shown coupled to the first and second enable switches S10, S11 through their respective switches S4, S5; The output paths from the second diplexer are connected to the second enable switch S11 and the third enable switch S12 via their respective switches S6 and S7 (instead of the first enable switch S10) Lt; / RTI > Similarly, the output paths from the third diplexer are shown coupled to the third enable switch S12 and the first enable switch S10 via their respective switches S8, S9 .

11 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a distributed network of signal paths 100 between two common nodes 102 may include both paths configured as described herein with respect to FIGS. 5-8 and 10 It does not necessarily have to be. In the example of FIG. 11, the paths associated with circuit 1, circuit 2 and circuit 3 are similar to the example of FIG. 10; The paths associated with circuit 4 and circuit 5 are similar to the examples of Figs. 5-8; The paths associated with circuit 6 are similar to the examples of Fig. Routes, such as paths associated with circuit 6, may be implemented, for example, in situations where the band paths are not sensitive to separation performance.

In the examples described herein with respect to Figures 5-11, the various distributed networks of signal paths are shown as having three layers of switches. For example, the diplexer selection switches (e.g., S1 and S2 in FIGS. 5-8) may be one layer and the port selection switches (e.g., S3-S6) , And the enable switches (e.g., S7 and S8) may be one layer. It will be appreciated that one or more features of the present disclosure may also be implemented in systems having a different number of switch layers.

In some embodiments, the switches in these different layers may have different separation characteristics. Thus, these differences in the separation characteristics can be used when distributing the signal paths to produce the desired separation performance for some or all of the signal paths.

In some embodiments, the switches in a given layer may have different separation characteristics, or alternatively, different diplexer channels may have different separation characteristics. Thus, this difference in isolation characteristics can be used when distributing the signal paths to produce the desired separation performance for some or all of the signal paths.

In various examples herein, a distributed network of signal paths is described in the context of diplexers. However, it will be appreciated that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented using other signal conditioning circuits, including, for example, multiplexers. Diplexer examples are also described in the context where a single common node is an input and two diplexed nodes are outputs. However, it will be appreciated that the diplexers can be operated in reverse, and thus the distributed paths are on the output side.

12 illustrates a process 200 that may be implemented to fabricate a device, such as a module having one or more features as described herein. At block 202, a plurality of multiplexers may be mounted or provided on a substrate, such as a packaging substrate. These multiplexers may include, for example, diplexers. Each multiplexer may be configured to multiplex a plurality of ports to a common port.

At block 204, a plurality of multiplexer-select switches may be mounted or provided to allow for selective routing of RF signals between the common ports of the multiplexers and the input node. At block 206, a plurality of port-select switches may be mounted or provided to allow selective routing of RF signals to and / or from a plurality of ports of each multiplexer. At block 208, a plurality of enable switches may be mounted or provided to allow for selective routing of RF signals between the one or more selected port-selection switches and the output node. At block 210, electrical connections may be formed such that the path between the input node and the output node through the port of the corresponding multiplexer when the path is not enabled includes at least two open switches.

In some embodiments, one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented in a number of products. For example, FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an RF module 300 (e.g., a front-end module) having a packaging substrate 302 such as a laminate substrate. Such a module may include one or more LNAs; In some embodiments, such LNA (s) may be implemented on semiconductor die 304. An LNA implemented on such a die may be configured to receive RF signals through selected signal paths as described herein. Such an LNA may also benefit from one or more advantageous features associated with improved separation associated with disabling signal paths.

Module 300 may further include a plurality of switches implemented on one or more semiconductor die 306. These switches may be configured to provide various switching functionalities as described herein, including providing improved isolation by having an increased number of open switches in the selected disabled signal paths.

Module 300 may further include a plurality of diplexers and / or filters (collectively denoted 310) configured to process RF signals. These diplexers / filters may be implemented as surface-mount devices (SMDs), as part of an integrated circuit (IC), or some combination thereof. These diplexers / filters may include, for example, SAW filters, or may be based on SAW filters, and may be configured as high Q devices.

In Figure 13, the distributed network of signal paths is denoted collectively as 308. The network of such signal paths may include one or more of the features described herein to provide improved separation between the antenna port (not shown) and the LNA port, among other things. In some embodiments, some or all of the network of signal paths may include conductor traces on a packaging substrate or in a packaging substrate, conductor features on a semiconductor die or in a semiconductor die, wirebonds, or any combination thereof Or may be facilitated by them.

In some implementations, an architecture, device, and / or circuitry having one or more of the features described herein may be included within an RF device, such as a wireless device. Such architectures, devices, and / or circuits may be implemented directly in a wireless device, in one or more modular forms as described herein, or in some combination thereof. In some embodiments, such a wireless device may be, for example, a cellular phone, a smart-phone, a handheld wireless device with or without phone functionality, a wireless tablet, a wireless router, a wireless access point, . ≪ / RTI > Although described in the context of wireless devices, it will be appreciated that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may also be implemented in other RF systems, such as base stations.

14 schematically illustrates an exemplary wireless device 400 having one or more advantageous features described herein. In some implementations, these advantageous features may be implemented in the front-end (FE) module 300. In some embodiments, such an FEM may include more or fewer components than those indicated by the dashed box.

The PAs in the PA module 412 may receive their respective RF signals from a transceiver 410 that may be configured and operated to generate RF signals to be amplified and transmitted and to process the received signals. The transceiver 410 is shown to interact with a baseband sub-system 408 that is configured to provide a switch between RF signals suitable for the transceiver 410 and data and / or voice signals suitable for the user. The transceiver 410 is also shown connected to a power management component 406 that is configured to manage power for operation of the wireless device 400. This power management may also control operations of the baseband sub-system 408 and other components of the wireless device 400.

The baseband sub-system 408 is shown connected to the user interface 402 to facilitate various inputs and outputs of voice and / or data provided to and received from the user. Baseband sub-system 408 may also be connected to memory 404, which is configured to store data and / or instructions to facilitate operation of the wireless device and / or to provide storage of information for the user have.

In an exemplary wireless device 400, the front-end module 300 may include a distributed network of signal paths 100 configured to provide one or more functionality as described herein. The network of such signal paths may communicate with the antenna switch module (ASM) 414. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the signals received via the antenna 420 may be routed from the ASM 414 to one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) 418 via the distributed network 100 of signal paths have. The amplified signals from the LNAs 418 are shown to be routed to the transceiver 410.

Many other wireless device configurations may utilize one or more of the features described herein. For example, the wireless device need not be a multi-band device. In another example, the wireless device may include additional antennas such as diversity antennas and additional connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Diversity  reception( DRx ) In an implementation example  Related examples:

Using one or more main antennas and one or more diversity antennas in a wireless device may improve signal reception quality. For example, the diversity antenna may provide additional sampling of RF signals near the wireless device. Additionally, the transceiver of the wireless device may be configured to process signals received by the main antenna and diversity antenna, as compared to a configuration using only the main antenna, to obtain a received signal of higher energy and / or improved fidelity .

In order to reduce the correlation between the main antenna and the signals received by the diversity antenna and / or to improve antenna separation, the main antenna and the diversity antenna may be separated by a relatively large physical distance in the wireless device have. For example, the diversity antenna may be located near the top of the wireless device, and the main antenna may be located near the bottom of the wireless device, or vice versa.

The wireless device may transmit or receive signals using the main antenna by routing signals corresponding to the transceiver or from the transceiver through the antenna switch module. To meet or exceed design specifications, the transceiver, antenna switch module, and / or main antenna may be in relatively close physical proximity within the wireless device. Configuring the wireless device in this manner can provide relatively small signal loss, low noise, and / or high isolation.

In the previous example, the fact that the main antenna is physically close to the antenna switch module may result in the diversity antenna being located relatively far from the antenna switch module. In such an arrangement, the relatively long signal path between the diversity antenna and the antenna switch module may result in significant loss and / or loss associated with the signal received via the diversity antenna. Thus, processing of a signal received via a diversity antenna, including an implementation of one or more of the features described herein, in close proximity to the diversity antenna, may be advantageous.

FIG. 15 illustrates that, in some implementations, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a diversity receive (DRx) Such a module may include a packaging substrate 302 (e. G., A laminate substrate) configured to accommodate a plurality of components, as well as to provide or facilitate electrical connections associated with such components.

In the example of FIG. 15, the DRx module 300 receives an RF signal from a diversity antenna (not shown in FIG. 15) at an input 320 and routes the RF signal to a low noise amplifier (LNA) 332 Lt; / RTI > It will be appreciated that such routing of the RF signal may involve carrier-aggregation (CA) and / or non-CA configurations. It will be appreciated that although one LNA (e.g., a broadband LNA) is shown, there may be more than one LNA in the DRx module 300. [ Depending on the type and mode of operation of the LNA (e.g., CA or non-CA), the output 334 of the LNA 332 may include one or more frequency components associated with one or more frequency bands.

In some embodiments, some or all of the previous routing of the RF signal between the input 320 and the LNA 332 may be performed by the input 320 and the diplexer (s) and / or the filter (s) Assembly of one or more switches 322 between the assembly of the diplexer / filter assembly 324 and the LNA 332 and the assembly of one or more switches 322 between the diplexer / filter assembly 324 and the LNA 332. In some embodiments, the switch assemblies 322 and 330 may be implemented, for example, on one or more silicon-on-insulator (SOI) dies. In some embodiments, some or all of the previous routing of the RF signal between the input 320 and the LNA 332 may be accomplished without some or all of the switches associated with the switch assemblies 322, 330.

In the example of FIG. 15, the diplexer / filter assembly 324 is shown to include two exemplary diplexers 326 and two separate filters 328. It will be appreciated that the DRx module 300 may have more or fewer diplexers, and more or fewer individual filters. Such diplexer (s) / filter (s) may be implemented, for example, as surface-mount devices (SMDs), as part of an integrated circuit (IC), or some combination thereof. Such diplexers / filters may include, for example, SAW filters or may be based on SAW filters, and may be configured as high Q devices.

In some embodiments, the DRX module 300 includes a MIPI RFFE interface 340 configured to provide and / or facilitate control functionality associated with switch assemblies 322, 330 and some or all of the LNA 332, And the like. This control interface may be configured to operate using one or more I / O signals 342.

Figure 16 illustrates that, in some embodiments, a DRx module 300 (e.g., DRx module 300 of Figure 15) having one or more of the features described herein is included in an RF device, such as wireless device 500 . In such a wireless device, a user interface 502, a memory 504, a power management 506, a baseband sub-system 508, a transceiver 510, a power amplifier (PA) 512, an antenna switch module ) 514 and antenna 520 may be generally similar to the examples of Fig.

In some embodiments, DRx module 300 may be implemented between ASM 514 and one or more diversity antennas. This configuration allows the RF signal received via the diversity antenna 530 to have a small loss of RF signal from the diversity antenna 530 or without any loss of RF signal and / (Including amplification by the LNA in some embodiments) with no additional or no addition of noise to the RF signal. This processed signal from the DRx module 300 may then be routed to the ASM via one or more signal paths 532, which may be relatively lossy.

In the example of FIG. 16, the RF signal from the DRx module 300 may be routed through the ASM 514 to the transceiver 510 via one or more receive (Rx) paths. Some or all of these Rx paths may include their respective LNA (s). In some implementations, the RF signal from the DRx module 300 may be further amplified or not amplified using such LNA (s).

One or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented using various cellular frequency bands as described herein. Examples of these bands are listed in Table 4. It will be appreciated that at least some of the bands may be divided into sub-bands. It will also be appreciated that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented using frequency ranges that do not have the same designations as the examples of Table 4. [

It will be appreciated that for purposes of description, "multiplexer", "multiplexing", etc. may include "diplexer", "diplexer", and the like.

It is to be understood that, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the terms "comprises," "including ", and the like shall be interpreted in an inclusive sense, But is not limited to, " The term "coupled" refers to two or more elements that are directly connected or can be connected by one or more intermediate elements, as is commonly used herein. In addition, the terms "herein "," above ", "below ", and similar terms when used in this application refer to this application as a whole, rather than any particular portion of this application. Where the context allows, the terms in the above detailed description using singular or plural may also each include plural or singular. In the term "or" associated with a list of two or more items, the term refers to all subsequent interpretations of the term, i.e., any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, Cover.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of the invention and examples of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, various equivalents of modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. For example, although processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may use systems with blocks in different orders, with routines with steps, or with blocks, some processes or blocks are deleted, Moved, added, subdivided, combined, and / or modified. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different manners. Also, while processes or blocks are sometimes shown as being performed in series, such processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein may be applied to other systems, not necessarily the systems described above. The elements and operations of the various embodiments described above may be combined to provide additional embodiments.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be implemented in a variety of different forms; In addition, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as come within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims (30)

An architecture for routing radio-frequency (RF) signals,
Input nodes and output nodes; And
A distributed network of signal paths implemented between the input node and the output node,
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including a selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than 2, and wherein the first path, when enabled, Wherein the first RF signal is capable of routing a first RF signal between nodes, and wherein the distributed network of signal paths further comprises a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node, Wherein the path includes the selected switch and the second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and wherein the first path is enabled. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the input node comprises a node coupled to an antenna port. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the output node comprises a node coupled to an input of a low noise amplifier (LNA). The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths comprises a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexer including a plurality of ports multiplexed onto a common port. 5. The method of claim 4,
Each of the multiplexers being a diplexer. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths includes a plurality of diplexer selection paths between respective ones of the input nodes and the diplexers, and each diplexer selection path includes a diplexer selection switch Architecture. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths further comprises a first port selection path and a second port selection path for each diplexer, wherein each of the first port selection path and the second port selection path includes a port selection switch Contains, architecture. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths further comprises an enable selection path coupling a plurality of port selection paths to the output node, each of the enable selection paths including an enable switch. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the selected switch is one of the diplexer selection switches. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the first port selection path and the second port selection path for a given diplexer are coupled to two different enable selection paths. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein each path in the distributed network of signal paths includes a corresponding enable selection path, a corresponding port selection port, and a corresponding diplexer selection path, wherein the quantity N is three. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the second path includes two open switches when disabled, and wherein the first path is enabled. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the two open switches are an enable switch and a port select switch corresponding to the second path. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein at least some of the distributed networks of signal paths are configured to operate in carrier aggregation (CA) mode. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths is configured to operate in a non-carrier aggregation mode. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the disabled second path having the plurality of open switches provides improved isolation performance for the second path than the disabled signal path having one open switch. A radio-frequency (RF) module,
A packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components;
An input node and an output node implemented on the packaging substrate or within the packaging substrate;
A plurality of signal conditioning circuits implemented on or in the packaging substrate; And
A distributed network of signal paths configured to route RF signals to and from the plurality of signal conditioning circuits between the input node and the output node,
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including a selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than 2, and wherein the first path, when enabled, Wherein the first RF signal is capable of routing a first RF signal between nodes, and wherein the distributed network of signal paths further comprises a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node, Wherein the path comprises the selected switch and the second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled, and wherein the first path is enabled. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the plurality of signal conditioning circuits comprise a plurality of diplexers. 19. The method of claim 18,
Further comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) implemented on the packaging substrate, wherein the LNA is coupled to the output node to receive the first RF signal over the first path when the first path is enabled RF module. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the RF module is a front-end module. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the RF module is a diversity reception (DRx) module. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the LNA is implemented on a first semiconductor die. 23. The method of claim 22,
Wherein some or all of the switches associated with the distributed network of signal paths are implemented on a second semiconductor die. A method for fabricating a radio-frequency (RF) module,
Providing or forming a packaging substrate configured to accommodate a plurality of components;
Implementing a plurality of signal conditioning circuits on or in the packaging substrate between an input node and an output node; And
Forming a distributed network of signal paths for routing RF signals to and from the plurality of signal conditioning circuits between the input node and the output node
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the distributed network of signal paths includes a first path having N switches including a selected switch, wherein the quantity N is an integer greater than 2, and wherein the first path, when enabled, And wherein the distributed network of signal paths further comprises a second path capable of routing a second RF signal between the input node and the output node, Wherein the second path comprises a plurality of open switches when disabled, and wherein the first path is enabled. As a radio-frequency (RF) device,
A receiver configured to process RF signals;
An RF module in communication with the receiver, the RF module comprising a plurality of signal conditioning circuits, the RF module being operable to communicate to the plurality of signal conditioning circuits between an input node and an output node and to the plurality of signal conditioning circuits Further comprising a distributed network of signal paths configured to route RF signals, wherein the distributed network of signal paths comprises a first path having N switches comprising selected switches, wherein the quantity N is greater than 2 Wherein the first path is capable of routing a first RF signal between the input node and the output node when enabled and a distributed network of signal paths between the input node and the output node, Further comprising a second path capable of routing an RF signal, wherein the second path includes the selected switch, Wherein the second path includes a plurality of open switches when disabled and the first path is enabled; And
An antenna communicating with the input node
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the antenna is configured to receive the RF signals. 26. The method of claim 25,
Wherein the RF device comprises a wireless device. 27. The method of claim 26,
Wherein the wireless device is a cellular phone. 27. The method of claim 26,
Wherein the antenna comprises a diversity antenna, and wherein the RF module comprises a diversity reception (DRx) module. 29. The method of claim 28,
Further comprising an antenna switch module (ASM) configured to route the RF signals from the diversity antenna to the receiver. 30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the DRx module is implemented between the diversity antenna and the ASM.

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